Metal fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention discloses a metal fuel cell, comprising a shell, a cover plate and a plurality of battery cells, the shell and the cover plate are detachably sealed and connected, the shell is provided with a plurality of grooves for fixing the battery cells, adjacent grooves are kept at intervals, vent holes are provided at intervals between adjacent grooves of the shell, the battery cells are embedded in the grooves, a plurality of battery cells are fixed in parallel in the shell, and a plurality of battery cells are connected in series through a conductive connector; the battery cells comprise a cell shell, a cell cover, a cathode membrane, an electrolyte and a metal anode plate, both sides of the cell shell are fixed with cathode membranes, the cell shell and the cathode membrane form an electrolyte cavity, the cell shell and the cell cover are detachably sealed and connected, the metal anode plate is fixed on the cell cover, the metal anode plate is inserted into the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity, the cell cover is provided with a liquid inlet connected with the electrolyte cavity, and the liquid inlet is covered with a waterproof breathable sheet. The metal fuel cell of the present invention is firm and reliable, convenient for hydrogen discharge, and has good comprehensive performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of batteries, and more particularly to a metal fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Metal fuel cells, as the name implies, are a new type of battery that uses metal and air as battery materials. Metal fuel cells are made up of multiple battery cells connected in series, with metals such as magnesium, aluminum, and zinc as the negative electrode, oxygen as the positive electrode, and alkaline solutions or salts as electrolytes, which undergo oxidation-reduction to generate electricity.

[0003] Taking aluminum-air batteries as an example, there are currently two types of aluminum-air batteries commonly used: one is a circulating electrolyte aluminum-air battery, which has a high degree of integration and large discharge power, and is often used as a backup power generation device and a substitute for diesel generator sets; the other is a non-circulating electrolyte aluminum-air battery, such as the aluminum-air batteries disclosed in patent applications CN107579187A and CN110137632A, which have a large energy density and are often used as large-capacity portable power sources. In the application of large-capacity portable power sources, aluminum-air batteries require special structural design because they require air to participate in the reaction: first, the entry of air must be guaranteed, and second, the amount of electrolyte must be guaranteed.

[0004] Patent application CN110137632A uses bipolar electrodes to reduce the volume of the battery. However, due to the limited contact area between the cathode membrane and the air in the cavity, and the limited and unstable contact area between the electrolyte and the positive and negative electrodes, it is difficult to achieve the desired discharge effect and discharge stability.

[0005] Moreover, in the existing non-circulating electrolyte aluminum-air batteries, multiple battery cells are often fixed by gluing or tie rods. The gluing type fixing method is not firm, and the tie rod type fixing method is not convenient for replacement.

[0006] On the other hand, if the battery cell has good sealing, the hydrogen released by the battery reaction will be difficult to release, posing a safety hazard; if the battery cell has poor sealing, there will be a risk of leakage; these problems limit the application and development of portable metal fuel cells.

[0007] In view of the problems such as the limited contact area between the cathode membrane of the metal fuel cell and the air, the limited and unfixed contact area between the electrolyte and the positive and negative electrodes, the loose fixation between multiple battery cells, and the safety hazards caused by the sealing of the battery cells, there is a need for a metal fuel cell that improves the discharge effect, discharge stability and safety. Summary of the invention

[0008] In order to solve the problems of the limited contact area between the cathode membrane and the air of the existing metal fuel cell, the limited and unfixed contact area between the electrolyte and the positive and negative electrodes, the loose fixation between multiple battery cells, and the safety hazards caused by the sealing of the battery cells, the present invention innovatively provides a metal fuel cell that is firm and reliable, easy to discharge hydrogen, and has good overall performance.

[0009] To achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention discloses a metal fuel cell, comprising: a shell, a cover plate and a plurality of battery cells, wherein the shell is detachably sealed and connected to the cover plate, an anode lead-out point and a cathode lead-out point are arranged on the cover plate, a plurality of grooves for fixing the battery cells are arranged on the shell, adjacent grooves are spaced apart, and vents are arranged on the spaces between adjacent grooves of the shell, the battery cells are embedded in the grooves, a plurality of the battery cells are fixed in parallel in the shell, a plurality of the battery cells are connected in series through a conductive connector, a negative electrode formed by connecting a plurality of the battery cells in series is electrically connected to the anode lead-out point, and a positive electrode formed by connecting a plurality of the battery cells in series is electrically connected to the cathode lead-out point;

[0010] The battery cell includes a cell shell, a cell cover, a cathode membrane, an electrolyte and a metal anode plate. The cathode membrane is fixed on both sides of the cell shell. The cell shell and the cathode membrane form an electrolyte cavity. The cell shell and the cell cover are detachably and sealedly connected. The metal anode plate is fixed on the cell cover. The metal anode plate is inserted into the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity. The cell cover is provided with a liquid inlet connected to the electrolyte cavity, and the liquid inlet is covered with a waterproof and breathable sheet.

[0011] Furthermore, the cathode membrane is connected to a conductive electrode lug, an anode conductor and a cathode conductor are fixed to the top of the monomer cover, the anode conductor is fixedly connected to the metal anode plate, and the cathode conductor is connected to the conductive electrode lugs on both sides of the electrolyte chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the cathode conductor is connected to the conductive electrode ears on both sides of the electrolyte chamber through a conductive spring sheet, the conductive spring sheet is U-shaped, and the conductive spring sheet includes a horizontal sheet and two vertical sheets, the horizontal sheet of the conductive spring sheet is fixed between the cathode conductor and the monomer cover, and the two vertical sheets of the conductive spring sheet are respectively in contact with the conductive electrode ears on both sides of the electrolyte chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, the anode conductors and cathode conductors of the plurality of battery cells are arranged alternately, the conductive connector is U-shaped, the first end of the conductive connector is connected to the anode conductor, and the second end of the conductive connector is connected to the adjacent cathode conductor in the same row.

[0014] Furthermore, the conductive connector is respectively clamped with the anode conductor and the cathode conductor.

[0015] Furthermore, after the multiple battery cells are connected in series, the anode conductors that are not connected to the conductive connectors are clamped with the anode lead-out points, and the cathode conductors that are not connected to the conductive connectors are clamped with the cathode lead-out points.

[0016] Furthermore, the anode conductor and the metal anode plate are integrally formed.

[0017] Furthermore, the upper cover of the liquid inlet is provided with a screw cap, the screw cap is provided with a through hole connected to the liquid inlet, the waterproof breathable sheet is fixed inside the screw cap, and the waterproof breathable sheet is located between the liquid inlet and the through hole.

[0018] Furthermore, the waterproof breathable sheet is a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet.

[0019] Furthermore, a cover plate is detachably connected to the shell, and an anode lead-out point and a cathode lead-out point are provided on the cover plate. After multiple battery cells are connected in series, the anode conductor that is not connected to the conductive connector is snap-fitted to the anode lead-out point, and after multiple battery cells are connected in series, the cathode conductor that is not connected to the conductive connector is snap-fitted to the cathode lead-out point.

[0020] Furthermore, the cathode membrane comprises a catalyst layer, a current collector and a waterproof and breathable layer which are sequentially arranged from the inside to the outside, the catalyst layer is in contact with the electrolyte, and the current collector is connected to the conductive electrode ear.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] (1) The metal fuel cell provided by the present invention maintains a gap between the battery cells. The vent holes on the shell can ensure that a sufficient amount of air enters the gap between the battery cells. The air that enters contacts the cathode membrane and participates in the chemical reaction. The cathode membrane is provided on both sides of the battery cell to increase the contact area with the air.

[0023] (2) The metal fuel cell provided by the present invention has cathode membranes on both sides of the battery cell to increase the contact area between the electrolyte and the cathode; the metal anode plate is inserted into the electrolyte to increase the contact area between the electrolyte and the anode; and the discharge effect is improved. The cathode membrane and the cell shell form an electrolyte cavity, and the metal anode plate is fixed on the cell cover. The fixing method is stable, which improves the discharge stability.

[0024] (3) The battery cells of the metal fuel cell provided by the present invention are connected by conductive connectors, which are respectively snap-fitted to the anode conductor and the cathode conductor. The connection is firm and easy to replace.

[0025] (4) The liquid inlet of the metal fuel cell provided by the present invention is covered with a waterproof and breathable sheet, which facilitates the release of hydrogen generated by the reaction while preventing the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity from leaking out, thereby solving the design problem of the sealing of the battery cell.

[0026] (5) The anode conductor of the metal fuel cell provided by the present invention is connected to the anode lead-out point by snapping, and the cathode conductor is connected to the cathode lead-out point by snapping, which is convenient for disassembly and installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of a metal fuel cell.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shell.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the metal fuel cell shell and the battery cell.

[0030] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell.

[0031] Figure 5 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connection relationship between the liquid inlet, the screw cap and the waterproof breathable sheet.

[0032] In the figure,

[0033] 1. Shell; 2. Battery cell; 3. Groove; 4. Vent; 5. Conductive connector; 6. Cell shell; 7. Cell cover; 8. Cathode membrane; 9. Metal anode plate; 10. Liquid inlet; 11. Waterproof breathable sheet; 12. Conductive electrode ear; 13. Anode conductor; 14. Cathode conductor; 15. Conductive spring; 16. Screw cap; 17. Through hole; 18. Cover plate; 19. Anode lead-out point; 20. Cathode lead-out point. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The metal fuel cell provided by the present invention is explained and illustrated in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification.

[0035] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in FIG. 3 , this embodiment specifically discloses a metal fuel cell, including: a housing 1, a cover plate 18 and a plurality of battery cells 2, such as Figure 1 As shown, the housing 1 is detachably sealed and connected to the cover plate 18, and the cover plate 18 is provided with an anode lead-out point 19 and a cathode lead-out point 20. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1 is provided with a plurality of grooves 3 for fixing the battery cells 2. Preferably, the grooves can be provided on one of the side walls of the housing 1; grooves can also be provided on two opposite side walls of the housing 1, and two opposite grooves 3 form a group to fix one battery cell 2. Figure 3As shown, during installation, the battery cell 2 is directly inserted into the housing 1 and snapped into the groove 3. Adjacent grooves 3 on the same side wall are spaced apart, and a vent hole 4 is provided on the space between adjacent grooves 3 of the housing 1. The battery cell 2 is embedded in the groove 3, so that multiple battery cells 2 are fixed in parallel in the housing 1, and a gap is maintained between adjacent battery cells 2. The air entering from the vent hole 4 enters the gap between the battery cells. The vent hole 4 can ensure that a sufficient amount of air enters the gap between the battery cells. Both sides of the battery cell 2 can contact with the air, increasing the contact area with the air. Multiple battery cells 2 are connected in series through a conductive connector 5. The negative pole formed by the multiple battery cells 2 connected in series is electrically connected to the anode lead-out point 19, and the positive pole formed by the multiple battery cells 2 connected in series is electrically connected to the cathode lead-out point 20.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the battery cell 2 includes a cell shell 6, a cell cover 7, a cathode membrane 8, an electrolyte and a metal anode plate 9. Cathode membranes 8 are fixed on both sides of the cell shell 6. Both cathode membranes 8 can be in contact with the air, and the air participates in the chemical reaction of the battery on the cathode membrane; the cell shell 6 and the cathode membrane 8 form an electrolyte cavity, the cell shell 6 and the cell cover 7 are detachably sealed, the metal anode plate 9 is fixed on the cell cover 7, and the metal anode plate 9 is inserted into the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity to increase the contact area between the electrolyte and the anode, and a liquid inlet 10 connected to the electrolyte cavity is provided on the cell cover 7. The number of the liquid inlet 10 is one or more, and the liquid inlet 10 is used to add electrolyte into the electrolyte cavity. The liquid inlet 10 is covered with a waterproof breathable sheet 11, and the waterproof breathable sheet 11 is used to discharge the hydrogen released by the reaction and prevent the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity from leaking out, thereby solving the design problem of the sealing of the battery cell.

[0037] The cathode membrane 8 is connected to a conductive electrode ear 12, and an anode conductor 13 and a cathode conductor 14 are fixed to the top of the monomer cover 7. The anode conductor 13 is fixedly connected to the metal anode plate 9, and the cathode conductor 14 is connected to the conductive electrode ears 12 on both sides of the electrolyte chamber, that is, the anode conductor 13 is electrically connected to the metal anode plate 9, and the cathode conductor 14 is electrically connected to the conductive electrode ear 12.

[0038] Preferably, the anode conductor 13 is integrally formed with the metal anode plate 9, so that the metal anode plate 9 is firmly fixed and the discharge stability of the battery is improved. In this embodiment, the metal anode plate is a magnesium anode plate, an aluminum anode plate or a zinc anode plate.

[0039] The cathode conductor 14 is connected to the conductive electrode ears 12 on both sides of the electrolyte chamber through the conductive spring clip 15. The conductive spring clip 15 is U-shaped and includes a horizontal sheet and two vertical sheets. The horizontal sheet of the conductive spring clip 15 is fixed between the cathode conductor 14 and the monomer cover 7, and the two vertical sheets of the conductive spring clip 15 are respectively in contact with the conductive electrode ears 12 on both sides of the electrolyte chamber, thereby making the cathode conductor 14 electrically connected to the cathode membrane 8.

[0040] The cathode membrane 8 includes a catalytic layer, a current collector and a waterproof and breathable layer arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside; the waterproof and breathable layer is in contact with the air, which can ensure the smooth entry of air and prevent the leakage of the electrolyte; the catalytic layer is in contact with the electrolyte, providing a three-phase interface and catalyzing the cathode reaction at the same time; the current collector is located between the waterproof and breathable layer and the catalytic layer, and is used to conduct the charge generated by the cathode reaction. The current collector is connected to the conductive electrode ear 12 to ensure the smooth conduction of the charge.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the anode conductors 13 and cathode conductors 14 of multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in a staggered manner, that is, when the battery cells 2 are embedded in the shell, the battery cells are installed one positive and one negative, so as to avoid the conductive springs 15 from touching each other. The conductive connector 5 is U-shaped, the first end of the conductive connector 5 is connected to the anode conductor 13, and the second end of the conductive connector 5 is connected to the adjacent cathode conductor 14 in the same row, so as to reduce the length of the conductive connector 5 and facilitate installation. Preferably, the conductive connector 5 is respectively snap-fitted with the anode conductor 13 and the cathode conductor 14, such as the anode conductor 13 and the cathode conductor 14 are cylindrical, the vertical section of the conductive connector 5 is columnar, the first end of the conductive connector 5 is inserted into the anode conductor 13, and the second end of the cathode conductor 14 is inserted into the cathode conductor 14, so as to be firmly fixed and easy to disassemble and replace. The anode conductor, the cathode conductor and the conductive connector can also be designed as other snap-fit ​​structures.

[0042] After multiple battery cells 2 are connected in series, the anode conductor 13 that is not connected to the conductive connector 5 is clamped with the anode lead-out point 19, and the cathode conductor 14 that is not connected to the conductive connector 5 is clamped with the cathode lead-out point 20. That is, the anode conductor 13 that is not connected to the conductive connector 5 at the end of the multiple battery cells after being connected in series is the negative electrode, and the cathode conductor 14 that is not connected to the conductive connector 5 at the end of the multiple battery cells after being connected in series is the positive electrode. The negative electrode formed after the multiple battery cells 2 are connected in series is electrically connected to the anode lead-out point 19, and the positive electrode formed after the multiple battery cells 2 are connected in series is electrically connected to the cathode lead-out point 20, so as to lead out the generated charges.

[0043] The anode conductor is clamped with the anode lead-out point, and the cathode conductor is clamped with the cathode lead-out point, which is convenient for disassembly and installation. Preferably, the anode conductor 13 and the cathode conductor 14 are cylindrical, and the anode lead-out point can be directly sleeved on the outside of the anode conductor 13, and the cathode lead-out point can be directly sleeved on the outside of the cathode conductor 14, or the anode lead-out point can be inserted into the inside of the anode conductor 13, and the cathode lead-out point can be inserted into the inside of the cathode conductor 14, and they can be directly clamped in place in one step, which is convenient for disassembly and installation.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, a screw cap 16 is provided on the liquid inlet 10, and a through hole 17 connected to the liquid inlet 10 is opened on the screw cap 16, and a waterproof breathable sheet 11 is fixed inside the screw cap 16. The screw cap 16 fixes the waterproof breathable sheet 11 on the liquid inlet 10, and the waterproof breathable sheet 11 is located between the liquid inlet 10 and the through hole 17, which discharges the hydrogen released by the reaction while preventing the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity from leaking out, thereby solving the design problem of battery sealing.

[0045] Furthermore, the waterproof breathable sheet 11 is a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet.

[0046] In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0047] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0048] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "this embodiment", "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any at least one embodiment or example. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0049] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and simple improvements made to the essential contents of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal fuel cell, characterized in that: include: A shell (1), a cover plate (18) and a plurality of battery cells (2), wherein the shell (1) and the cover plate (18) are detachably sealed and connected, the cover plate (18) is provided with an anode lead-out point (19) and a cathode lead-out point (20), the shell (1) is provided with a plurality of grooves (3) for fixing the battery cells (2), adjacent grooves (3) are spaced apart, a vent hole (4) is provided in the space between adjacent grooves (3) of the shell (1), the battery cells (2) are embedded in the grooves (3), the plurality of battery cells (2) are fixed in parallel in the shell (1), the plurality of battery cells (2) are connected in series via a conductive connector (5), the negative electrode formed by the plurality of battery cells (2) connected in series is electrically connected to the anode lead-out point (19), and the positive electrode formed by the plurality of battery cells (2) connected in series is electrically connected to the cathode lead-out point (20); The battery cell (2) comprises a cell shell (6), a cell cover (7), a cathode membrane (8), an electrolyte and a metal anode plate (9); the cathode membrane (8) is fixed on both sides of the cell shell (6); the cell shell (6) and the cathode membrane (8) form an electrolyte cavity; the cell shell (6) and the cell cover (7) are detachably sealed; the metal anode plate (9) is fixed on the cell cover (7); the metal anode plate (9) is inserted into the electrolyte in the electrolyte cavity; the cell cover (7) is provided with a liquid inlet (10) connected to the electrolyte cavity; the liquid inlet (10) is covered with a waterproof breathable sheet (11).

2. The metal fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode membrane (8) is connected to a conductive electrode lug (12), an anode conductor (13) and a cathode conductor (14) are fixed to the top of the monomer cover (7), the anode conductor (13) is fixedly connected to the metal anode plate (9), and the cathode conductor (14) is connected to the conductive electrode lugs (12) on both sides of the electrolyte chamber.

3. The metal fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cathode conductor (14) is connected to the conductive electrode ears (12) on both sides of the electrolyte chamber through a conductive spring sheet (15); the conductive spring sheet (15) is U-shaped and comprises a horizontal sheet and two vertical sheets; the horizontal sheet of the conductive spring sheet (15) is fixed between the cathode conductor (14) and the monomer cover (7); the two vertical sheets of the conductive spring sheet (15) are respectively in contact with the conductive electrode ears (12) on both sides of the electrolyte chamber.

4. The metal fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The anode conductors (13) and cathode conductors (14) of the plurality of battery cells (2) are arranged in a staggered manner, the conductive connector (5) is U-shaped, the first end of the conductive connector (5) is connected to the anode conductor (13), and the second end of the conductive connector (5) is connected to the cathode conductor (14) adjacent to the same row.

5. The metal fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conductive connecting piece (5) is respectively connected to the anode conductor (13) and the cathode conductor (14).

6. The metal fuel cell according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: After a plurality of battery cells (2) are connected in series, an anode conductor (13) that is not connected to a conductive connector (5) is snap-fitted to the anode lead-out point (19), and after a plurality of battery cells (2) are connected in series, a cathode conductor (14) that is not connected to a conductive connector (5) is snap-fitted to the cathode lead-out point (20).

7. The metal fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The anode conductor (13) and the metal anode plate (9) are integrally formed.

8. The metal fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid inlet (10) is covered with a screw cap (16), the screw cap (16) is provided with a through hole (17) connected to the liquid inlet (10), the waterproof breathable sheet (11) is fixed inside the screw cap (16), and the waterproof breathable sheet (11) is located between the liquid inlet (10) and the through hole (17).

9. The metal fuel cell according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that: The waterproof and breathable sheet (11) is a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet.

10. The metal fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cathode membrane (8) comprises a catalytic layer, a current collector and a waterproof and breathable layer which are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside, the catalytic layer is in contact with the electrolyte, and the current collector is connected to the conductive electrode ear (12).

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